How do you think CMS should be calculated?

[cantstandmenow]

Just that.

I receive CMS through personal arrangement, and while I'm not over the moon with it and not sure I'd receive more or less through the CMS service, I can see the system is pretty awful for others.

Just wondering how others think the system should work? Should NRP's pay a higher percentage of earnings? Should their lifestyle be taken into account? What should be put in place for those who aren't earning at all? (I think they should be made to do voluntary work and in return the RP receives additional payment, albeit with health taken into consideration).

I also don't agree with NRP's being able to reduce their payment if they move in with someone who already has children.

Just a general debate really!

Just checked on the CAB website . It seems cms can take away driving licences and send a payment evading nrp to prison. It seems they have these powers, so why the hell are they not invoked.

Well they would need an address!

Why can't addresses be found through HMRC? It would seem the authorities concerned do not give a shit about maintenance dodging parents. I f resident parents didn't bother to feed or clothe their children they would rightly be charged with neglect. It is wrong to let people get away with such abuse.

Good question. My friend asked. Data protection or something. They need an address to write to even though they have access to wage slips and hence a work address. It’s crazy

The authorities seem to bend over backwards to allow people to default. Insane.

@zsazsajuju no one is saying they should be stopped from having more children on the say so of someone else. Just as someone's income shouldn't be cut, effectively on the say so of an ex who decides to have another two children. Where do you draw the line? When they get nothing?

So a RP can have an affair forcing the end of the marriage. They can go on and have as many more children with the OM/W living in the former martial home " because they needed it for the children" whilst the NRP mustn't meet anyone with children or have more children because it might mean the RP (and wealthy OM/W) will have their maintenance cut.
Yes there are shit NRP and enforcement should be used but please don't assume the RP is always the innocent injured party.

You'll never be able to come up with a one size fits all solution because everyone's circumstances are different.

Just taking a percent that leaves the nrp enough to be able to support them self is the fairest way. The percent should be worked out after tax though.

There should however also be an appeal process for people in extenuating circumstances where a case can be considered on its own individual merits. Such as when one party has taken on alot of debt from the relationship, or a disabled child is involved, or one parent is considerably better off than the other.

A new partners income should never be considered, regardless of who you are in a relationship with its not your responsibility to support their children. For the same reason step children should not affect maintenence payments. I thinks its fair biological children should reduce payments and if you are also supporting another family member such as a wife or elderly parent unable to work you should get a reduction. That's unable to work, not choosing not to work. So disabled, long time sick, registered carer.

@cantstandmenow what you’re presumably suggesting is that someone (ex-wife or child) shouldn’t have their income cut because of subsequent children. So a substantial portion of one parents income should be ringfenced for the first born and if there’s not enough for subsequent children, or the parent themself, well tough? Is that what you’re suggesting?

The ex ultimately has the freedom to have more children and as a society we recognise that it’s not fair to put one child above another. You can’t make someone “provide” for you whether they are a parent or an ex. The law recognises that all children need to be taken into account when allocating resources and I’m afraid I think that’s entirely right. Also, realistically the nrp needs to provide for themselves- two households are a lot more than one. I say all that as an RP and a single parent (as I said I get no maintenance)

There is no easy answer to this. I do think we need tougher sanctions and a change in attitude. It is disgraceful that some nrp still think it’s fine to try anything to avoid paying for their kids.